Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 79% of counties in Kentucky
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Rowan County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $55,115 | $62,784 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,329 | $53,643 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.1% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.3% | 8.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Rowan County is about 12% lower than in Kentucky. Income has been growing faster in Rowan County (6.1%/yr) than in Kentucky (4.9%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Rowan County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Kentucky average of 8%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Rowan County, Kentucky grew by 79.3% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $55,115 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in Rowan County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Rowan County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.600 | 0.554 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $55,760 | $59,736 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $46,353 | $47,402 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 16.9% | 20.6% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Rowan County, it is 0.600, higher than Kentucky's 0.554, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 20% more than women's income in Rowan County, Kentucky. Over a 35-year career, a 20% wage gap accumulates to roughly $329,245 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Rowan County, Kentucky has narrowed from about 24% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $820 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Rowan County | Kentucky Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.3% | 9.1% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 20 | 22 |
Approximately 508 people are unemployed in Rowan County, Kentucky.
The average commute time in Rowan County is 17 minutes, shorter than the 20 minutes in Kentucky.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Rowan County, Kentucky has fallen from 6.3% to 4.3% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Rowan County, Kentucky has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Kentucky, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Rowan County, Kentucky.
How Rich Is Rowan County, Kentucky?
Rowan County has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $55,115, about 12% lower than the Kentucky average of $62,784.
What is the current median household income in Rowan County, Kentucky?
As of 2023, the median household income in Rowan County, Kentucky is $55,115.
What was the median household income in Rowan County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Rowan County, Kentucky was $55,115.
What was the median household income in Rowan County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Rowan County, Kentucky was $41,718.
What is the Gini coefficient in Rowan County, Kentucky?
The Gini coefficient in Rowan County is 0.600. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Rowan County, Kentucky?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Rowan County, Kentucky has narrowed from about 24% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $820 since 2009.